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FROM WORMS TO WEB SITES: GARDENING AND MORE IN THE
21ST CENTURY |
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The Citizen Service Centre/Valley East Public Library in Hanmer
celebrated its role as a provider of accessible public education, during a
series of special presentations today. “From Worms to Web Sites:
Gardening in the 21st Century” explored the many educational services
offered by the Greater Sudbury Public Library, from free story hours to
free Internet access.
“The Greater Sudbury Public Library has maintained and expanded its
services to match the growth of information technology,” said Greater
Sudbury Mayor Jim Gordon. “Citizens can now visit any branch of their
local library to access the Internet, attend a workshop, borrow a book, a
video tape or a CD. All these services, and more, are offered free of
charge in the true spirit of community.”
Children from Shooting Star Day Care/Garderie Etoile Filante celebrated
the arrival of spring – and worms – during a special story hour and
craft workshop. Ward 3 Councillor Louise Portelance read children the tale
of La petite chenille qui faisait des trous then helped the youngsters
make their own “wiggly worm” from paper and popsicle sticks.
“We are very proud of the Citizen Service Centre and we are proud that
Valley East Public Library will celebrate its tenth anniversary in
September,” said Councillor Portelance. “This is a place where
children gather for story hour, to play on computers, to read books and to
meet their friends. It’s a focal point for local families, offering
information and municipal services in a safe and wholesome environment.”
Grade 6 students from St. Anne Elementary School had a “hands-on”
learning experience during a special “vermicomposting” (worm
composting) workshop. Melissa Bresnahan, City of Greater Sudbury Co-ordinator
of Waste Diversion, and Ward 3 Councillor Ron Dupuis demonstrated the art
of making a vermicomposter, using live worms to turn organic waste into
garden soil.
“Our youth are genuinely concerned about the environment and they want
to make a difference,” said Councillor Dupuis. “Free Internet access
means that every student can search for knowledge and exchange ideas with
their peers. No one is left out because their family can’t afford a
computer or monthly network charges. Here, every child is equal and every
child has potential to change the world.”
Free Internet access, new and upgraded computers and work stations at all
14 branches of the Greater Sudbury Public Library are funded through the
Government of Canada’s Community Access Program (CAP), part of the
federal government’s “Connecting Canadians” strategy. CAP is
establishing public Internet access sites nation-wide. Since 1995, more
than 3,000 CAP centres have been approved or established in Ontario.
“CAP also helped us hire trainers to teach basic computer skills,”
said Caroline Hallsworth, Greater Sudbury General Manager of Citizen and
Leisure Services. “These training workshops were offered free of charge
to the public and they were very well attended. Today, every computer at
every branch of the Greater Sudbury Public Library is in constant use.
It’s a testament to the demand for this type of service.”
The Citizen Service Centre/Valley East Public Library has eight computers
for public use on a first come, first served basis. Summer operating hours
are now in effect: Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m. For more information, please call 671-CITY (2489). |
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